NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Lipscomb men’s and women’s tennis teams kick off conference play on Saturday, March 17 with the Battle of the Boulevard against Belmont.

Lipscomb head coach Andrew Harris has stressed to the teams the importance of preparation heading into Atlantic Sun competition.

"The phrase we like to say is that you train eight months for these seven weeks,” Harris said. “For our program to continue to grow and develop our standing in this league is what we need to aim for. Different from years past, we actually play Belmont this year for the first match, which presents a unique opportunity.

“We have been talking all year about the mental side of things and preparing ourselves for these moments and matches. Both the women and men are excited for the opportunity to compete and get our conference matches underway. We are looking to have a big crowd out at Centennial on Saturday."

The Bison last faced Belmont in their final match of the season last spring. The 4-3 win sent the men’s team to the A-Sun conference tournament, while the Lady Bison suffered a 5-2 loss.

Heading into Saturday’s match up, the men hold a 5-5 record compared to the Bruins’ 2-8 record. Belmont’s men’s team has two more matches prior to Saturday’s competition with Lipscomb.

The Lady Bison enter the match with a 3-6 record, while Belmont’s women even out the competition with the same 3-6 standing.

Both Lipscomb teams enter the Battle of the Boulevard coming off shutout wins. The men posted a 7-0 win over North Alabama on Sunday, while the Lady Bison will have had a two week break since their 7-0 sweep of Kentucky Wesleyan.

Saturday’s matchup will take place at Centennial Sportsplex at 10 a.m.